upgrading a comp, few Q's for the pros out there

[losmi8]

Hi. I'm looking to upgrade my computer. I need it to perform two tasks:

Play most video games at res 1440x900 on max everything, or close to max.
Support 2 19" wide screen monitors with ease to run trading software.

Right now I have P4 2.8Ghz, Asus p4c800e deluxe mobo, 1gb ddr2 (I Think it's pc400? they are 800mhz so not sure, I never understood PCxxx markings). My video card sucks, its Ati x1600pro, can't even support CS properly, I have 500w thermaltake powersupply, which I plan on using with the new computer, 200gb hard drive which I also plan to use along with cd-rom/dvd roms...

MY QUESTIONS/CONCERNS:

I am looking at this motherboard: EVGA nForce 680i SE SLI (TR Version)

For CPU, I'm a little confused. Do I want the $299.99 Intel Core 2 Quad or the cheaper Intel Core 2 Duo's...They run at 1333mhz FSB opposed to Core 2 Quad at 1066. -- This is my big question, which to get!?

Memory: This will depend on the CPU I get..I'd like something to match the speeds of both the CPU and Mobo. Someone please explain the PC6400 labels, I'm a little confused there. If I go with 1333mhz FSB and CPU, which memory do I need? I found a pretty good deal on a 2GB of memory..Check it out: <>
Will that be good enough? Does "SLI ready" mean anything or just a marketing thing?

Video Card? Big questions here: Do I get one expensive or do I go with two less expensive cards and do the SLi thing?

I'm looking at getting 1 XFX GeForce 8800 GTS Extreme,640MB DDR3; which is going to cost me around $330 ...or am I better off getting two BFG GeForce 7600 GT OC / 256MB GDDR3 for a cost of $250.
or maybe two of XFX GeForce 7950 GT Video Card - 550M, 512MB DDR3; which will run me $400.

Okay. That would be all , someone please take a few minutes to answer my questions as I really want to get a nice computer in which all the parts will work flawlessly together. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money either.Thank you soo much in advance for even taking the time to read all this. Enjoy the weekend people!

[flanzig1]

Would forget running Sli, can only use one monitor when in SLI.
As for CPUs, go with the Quad if running different apps at the same time with the market SW.
The Core2Duo E6750 for the best bang for the buck.
For memeory, can't go wrong with Corsair XMS DDR2800 CAS5 with Intel CPUs. It with work for both FSB speeds.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by losmi8 I have 500w thermaltake powersupply, which I plan on using with the new computer,

If it's not a true ATX 2.0 or higher power supply with the 20+4 or 24 pin motherboard power connector you're going to have to upgrade that too. And Thermaltake power supplies aren't really the best quality units around.

Originally Posted by losmi8 I am looking at this motherboard: EVGA nForce 680i SE SLI (TR Version)

We generally tell people building INTEL based computers to stick to motherboards with INTEL chipsets for best performance and stability. And SLi isn't really worth it unless you can use 2 high end video cards in SLi...2 low or mid-range video cards in SLi is outperformed by 1 high end video card. And 2 high end video cards can easily cost almost $1,000 by themselves.

Originally Posted by losmi8 For CPU, I'm a little confused. Do I want the $299.99 Intel Core 2 Quad or the cheaper Intel Core 2 Duo's...They run at 1333mhz FSB opposed to Core 2 Quad at 1066. -- This is my big question, which to get!?

If you're going to be gaming most of the time you want the C2D with thte 1333MHz FSB. If you're going to be doing a lot of multi-tasking then you want the C2Q instead.

Originally Posted by losmi8 If I go with 1333mhz FSB and CPU, which memory do I need?

You want PC2 6400 (DDR2 800) in matched pairs to take advantage of Dual Channel DDR.

And don't buy from TigerDirect, they have really awful customer service. We recommend Newegg.

Originally Posted by losmi8 Video Card? Big questions here: Do I get one expensive or do I go with two less expensive cards and do the SLi thing? I'm looking at getting 1 XFX GeForce 8800 GTS Extreme,640MB DDR3; which is going to cost me around $330 ...or am I better off getting two BFG GeForce 7600 GT OC / 256MB GDDR3 for a cost of $250. or maybe two of XFX GeForce 7950 GT Video Card - 550M, 512MB DDR3; which will run me $400.

One high end video card will outperform two mediocre video cards easily. SLi is only worth it if you can use two high end video cards, then you'll really see something (besides an empty wallet/bank account).

Cricket

[pam123]

The full story on DDR (2,3,4, and so on) RAM is here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR_SDRAM

Your old ram in the P4 2.8 computer is basic DDR ram.
You're getting the MHz rating from the Intel I/O bus which is quad pumped.
So instead of 200x2 you get 200x4 for the 800.
Another way of saying DDR 400 ram was pc3200 ram which referred to the transfer rate.

You're a good candidate for a quad core and not just because you game.
Multi-core processors are made for multi-taskers ans you certainly appear to fit the description.

Having picked your processor you then pick the motherboard, in your case Intel on Intel is the way to go.
That done the way you pick the memory is to get the type the board's manufacturer recommends, download the manual and get the list from it.
If that memory from Tiger Direct is on it then you can buy it.

Buying two older 7900 cards will not substitute, game playwise for an 8800 also you can not have dual monitors enabled in SLI mode ( It's not just nVidia as Crossfire, ATI's dual set up, doesn't work either.).

[glc]

A single video card with dual head is the best way to run 2 monitors.

Now, if you are doing trading, you can put 2 dual head cards into a SLI motherboard and leave the SLI bridge off, and run 4 monitors. However, there are quite a few Intel chipset boards that have dual PCI-Ex16 slots that you can do the same thing with.

[losmi8]

Okay, from the research and your guys recomendations..I've decided to go with the following:

1.OCZ SLI-Ready Edition Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz
($84 - $35 mail in rebate)
2.EVGA nForce 680i SE SLI (TR Version) Motherboard - NVIDIA, Socket 775
($159 - $10 mail in rebate)
3.Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Processor - 2.66GHz, 4MB Cache, 1333MHz FSB
($199)
4.EVGA 512-P3-N802-A3 GeForce 8800GT Superclocked 512MB 256-bit GDDR3
($299 + Free Crysis game)

Total Cost: $750 ....Will eventually get $45 in rebates and the free game.

Will that be fast enough for dual monitors and playing most games maxed out at 1440x900?

[glc]

I'd really recommend an Intel chipset board.

[losmi8]

any specific mobo out there? something as good as the one im looking at..i can't find anything good on tigerdirect.com

[pam123]

We're not over fond of Tiger Direct around here.
We do like newegg, zipzoomfly and MWave.
All of who have wider selections and better prices then Tiger Direct (also they've got better customer service.).

This is the Intel boards page at newegg : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...157&name=intel

Look over all of them that support your chosen processor but skip the P35 chipset boards for now ( For the reason why read this thread : http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=189431).

While you're at it compare newegg's prices and terms to Tiger Direct's.

[glc]

P35 boards are fine if all hard and optical drives are SATA. The Asus P5K series is P35.

[Ahura]

Wait, EVGA gives out free Crysis game?!?!?

[pam123]

Originally Posted by Ahura Wait, EVGA gives out free Crysis game?!?!?

Check it out here : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130305

Note : While supplies last